Little Rock Tourist Attractions
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Top Tourist Attractions in Little Rock
Little Rock, political and economic centre of Arkansas, lies in the heart of the state, separated from its sister city of North Little Rock by the Arkansas River. The town, founded in 1812, took its name from the French "petite roche"; it became capital of the state in 1821. The Quapaw Historic District (named after a local Indian tribe) preserves some handsome remains of old Little Rock, including the classical Old State House and the Arkansas Museum of Science and History in MacArthur Park, housed in the only surviving building of Little Rock's Arsenal (1836), in which General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) was born. Fans of "Gone with the Wind" will want to visit the Old Mill (a watermill of 1828) in North Little Rock, where the early scenes of the film were shot.
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site was the site of struggles over school desegregation in 1957. Nine African-American teenagers were entering their first day of school at a time when desegregation of the schools was just beginning. That day went down in the history of the Civil Rights movement as being a pivotal event. The U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division was brought to Little Rock to escort the nine students into the school on the next day.
Museum of Discovery
The Museum of Discovery features exhibits on Life/Earth Science and Anthropological/Historical objects. On display are rocks, minerals, fossils, taxidermy specimens, communication items, farm equipment, woodworking tools, Native American pottery and baskets, historical items from the Little Rock Fire Department, sculpture, multicultural masks, fans, Egyptian artifacts, Kewpie Dolls, and other items directly related to the history of Arkansas.
Clinton Presidential Library and Museum
The Clinton Presidential Library has an archival research facility and a museum. Interactive exhibits, over 1 million photos, and gifts that Clinton received as the President are on display.The Clinton Presidential Library and Museum has full scale replicas of the Cabinet Room and the Oval Office.
State Capitol
Based on the design of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, the Arkansas State Capitol is made of white marble and granite. The front entrance doors for the State Capitol are made of bronze and the cupola is covered in 24 karat gold leaf.
River Market District
River Market is a year-round, indoor market offering 10,000 square feet of shops, stalls and tables that sell food and unique products.
Villa Marre (closed to the public)
Villa Marre is now a private residence, and is not open to the public.Villa Marre was built in 1881 for Angelo and Jennie Marre and was one of the finest houses in the city. In 1986 it become better known as the "Designing Women House" when it was used as the set for the Designing Women television series.Villa Marre is a combination of Italianate and Second Empire styles of architecture. There were furnishings dating from the mid-19th C through the early 20th C on display. Villa Marre became a private residence in 2002, and its furnishings were sold at a public auction.
Old State House Museum
The Old State House was designed by Gideon Shryock and is one of the best examples of Doric architecture in the southern states. The building was completed in 1842 with some alterations done in 1885. On display in the museum are decorative arts, inaugural gowns of governors' wives, and historical displays relating to the politics of the state.The Old State House served as the capitol when Arkansas became a state in 1836.
Wildwood Park
Wildwood Park is a park for music and the performing arts, designed for indoor and outdoor performances. With 104 acres, the park also has a number of gardens and smaller facilities.Within Wildwood Park are The Gertrude Butler Pavilion with drifts of daffodils and native flowering trees; The Butler Arboretum featuring natural woodlands and nature trails; Bruce Gardens is home to native perennials and decorative grasses and the Doris Gay Garden with its Asian influence.
Children's Museum of Arkansas (closed)
The Arkansas Children's Museum is now closed and has merged with the Museum of Discovery.Located in the former Union Station, the Children's Museum offers creative interactive displays for children from their first year through elementary school. A mock farmers market and a "construction area" are just two of the museum's unique features.
Aerospace Education Center
The Aerospace Education Center is located at the Little Rock National Airport. The Center features historical aircraft, a NASA exhibit, an IMAX theater and an aerospace library. The Aerospace Education Center has the only IMAX theater in Arkansas and features the world's first EpiSphere Digital Planetarium.
Arkansas Arts Center
The Arkansas Arts Center features nine galleries as well as classrooms and a theater. The permanent collection includes American and European paintings, drawings, and sculptures from the 16th C to present. A children's theater and decorative arts museum are also part of the center.
Arkansas Arts Center Decorative Arts Museum (CLOSED)
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED AND EXHIBITS WERE MOVED TO THE Arkansas Arts Center.Located in a restored 1839 home, the center offers a range of displays from various periods and styles.
EMOBA (Ernie's Museum of Black Arkansans)
Ernie's Museum of Black Arkansans focuses on the role African Americans have played in the cultural development of Arkansas. Ernie's Museum or EMOBA is housed in the historic First Baptist Church building that also serves as a performing arts center for African Americans.
Historic Arkansas Museum
The Historic Arkansas Museum displays decorative arts, weapons, historical artifacts, as well as contemporary art in the Arkansas Artists' Gallery. Also on the site are five pre-Civil War houses which portray the pioneer era, complete with costumed interpreters. Four of these buildings are regularly open to the public.
Woodruff Print Shop
The Woodruff Print Shop contains a replica of an 1820s print shop with some of the original furnishings. The house, built in 1824, was the home of William E. Woodruff, founder of the Arkansas Gazette. There is also a medicinal herb garden outside.
Brownlee House
Brownlee House was built for James Brownlee by his brother Robert Brownlee. The house was constructed in the 1840's and is furnished in period. Of interest in the house, and typical of the era, are the marbleized mantels.
Hinderliter Grog Shop
The Hinderliter Grog Shop, an 1820s log building, is the oldest house in Little Rock. It functioned as a tavern on the main floor and as a home for the Hinderliter family on the 2nd Floor.
McVicar House
Built in the 1840s, the McVicar House is a wooden house typical of this time period, with a large central hall bordered by two rooms of equal size. It was built by James McVicar using white oak logs and square pegs.
Little Rock Zoo
The Little Rock Zoo maintains a collection of approximately 725 animals from 200 different species from around the world. The giraffe, big cat and tropical rainforest exhibit are very popular.
MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History is housed in the historic Tower Building, part of the Little Rock Arsenal. Artifacts, photographs, documents, uniforms, weapons, and other military items are on display.
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